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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Season 15/16 Stagsnet Match Report
Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town  
3 - 0
 Newport County
Westcarr 50, Benning 70, Yussuf 90+1
 
 
Attendance: 3278 (119 from Newport)
 
Date: 10 October 2015

STUNNING GOALS SEND STAGS SOARING

Martin Shaw and Simon Chamberlain at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town beat Newport County 3-0 this afternoon to move one point behind the leaders, with three second half goals. Mansfield had most of the possession in the first half but were unable to break through a stubborn defence. The Stags took the lead on 50 minutes when Craig Westcarr volleyed home from 5 yards after Jack Thomas knocked the ball into his path. On 70 minutes, Mal Benning brought the house down with his second stunning volley in a week, this time latching on to a deep cross from Jack Thomas that found Benning unmarked outside the box on the left, and Benning hit a crisp left footed volley into the top right corner of the net. It was simply a sensational strike that had Mansfield fans on their feet and still applauding after the game restarted. Substitute Adi Yussuf put the icing on the cake with a splendid clinical finish of his own in stoppage time as he turned his marker just outside the box and fired left-footed into the bottom right corner of the net from 19 yards. At the end of the game the Stags players left the pitch to a fantastic standing ovation. Plenty of very fine performances throughout the Stags side with Benning, Jack Thomas, Hunt, and Jensen, who made three good saves, worthy of special mention, but overall this was another fine team performance.

Still only one club has conceded fewer goals than Mansfield this season in League Two, but now Mansfield have the best goal difference in League Two.

Mansfield were unchanged from the side that won at Dagenham. There was a welcome return to the bench from injury for Chris Clements. Adam Chapman was playing against the side he left in the summer. The Stags were in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Jack Thomas behind Matt Green. Newport may have been bottom of the league but had a new manager in John Sheridan and the players were out to impress him. A chap from the Newport media told me before the game that he is convinced that Sheridan will lead Newport away from trouble at the bottom.

On 6 minutes, a Newport free-kick from 28 yards was eventually headed clear by McGuire.

A good move from the Stags on 8 minutes, and then Benning crossed from the left and it went through everyone.

Good skill from Chapman on 10 minutes gave Benning a chance of a shot from 25 yards and his low effort was saved by keeper Joe Day.

A double chance for Mansfield a minute later as Reggie Lambe’s shot was blocked with cries of handball and then Benning’s shot was also blocked.

A half chance for Newport on 16 minutes, as Byrne’s corner from the left was back-headed over the bar by Donacien.

Benning curled in a lovely cross into the corridor of uncertainty on 20 minutes, a defender tried to head away, but it cannoned off another defender towards his own goal and the keeper had a to scramble across to prevent an own goal with a low save.

On 22 minutes, Benning curled in a free-kick from the right, it eventually fell to Westcarr whose shot was blocked.

On 25 minutes, a good move from the Stags, Westcarr tried to get in a cross but was baulked by a defender and it turned into a soft shot straight at the keeper.

An interesting corner kick routine from Mansfield on 31 minutes. Lambe took the corner, rather than the usual Chapman or Benning, and there were 5 Stags players in a huddle on the edge of the box, like a scrum, but the corner came to nothing.

A chance for the Stags on 36 minutes. Benning’s free kick from his own half was nodded by Tafazolli, and Lambe shot straight at the keeper. Two minutes later, Chapman’s long throw from the right was back-headed by Pearce and the keeper claimed.

On 39 minutes, Hunt cut inside onto his left foot, in the area on the right, and his goal-bound shot was blocked. Then Jack Thomas crossed low from the right and Benning tried to stab it at goal but a defender cleared.

A great cross from the left by Jack Thomas on 42 minutes, found Green who headed towards the bottom right corner of the net from close range, and keeper Day saved on the line with his legs. Newport went to the other end and Ansah cut inside and shot straight at Jensen.

On 45 minutes, Benning crossed from the left and it was just a fraction high for Green as it skimmed off the top of his head and wide of the far post.

The Stags had the majority of the possession in the first half but too many crosses were too close to the keeper, and the service to Green could have been better, as the Stags didn’t create many chances. Nevertheless gentle applause for Mansfield at half time. Newport had defended doggedly.

Half time 0-0

Mansfield were ahead on 50 minutes. Benning chipped into the area from the left, Jack Thomas knocked it back to the left into the path of Westcarr, who volleyed in from 5 yards. Westcarr’s 4th goal of the season.

On 54 minutes, Hunt’s ball to the far post, Westcarr knocked it back, Green turned and fired towards the roof of the net, and the keeper pushed it over the bar. From the resulting corner, taken by Chapman, Tafazolli headed towards the left corner of the net, and the keeper tipped away. Moments later, Westcarr tried to volley goalwards but didn’t make good contact.

By now, the Stags had switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Chapman and McGuire in front of the back four, and Lambe, Jack Thomas and Westcarr behind Green.

A real chance for Newport to equalise on 68 minutes as Alex Rodman was through on goal in a 1-on-1 with Jensen, but Jensen came out quickly and smothered the ball. Excellent goalkeeping from the Beast.

Mansfield made it 2-0 on 70 minutes in spectacular fashion. A deep cross from the right by Jack Thomas found Benning unmarked outside the box on the left, and Benning hit a crisp left footed volley into the top right corner of the net. The keeper got a hand on it but was powerless to keep it out. It was simply a sensational strike that had Mansfield fans on their feet and still applauding after the game restarted. Benning’s third goal of the season and all have been spectacular.

On 76 minutes, Ansah’s shot from just inside the box took a deflection off Tafazolli and Jensen adjusted brilliantly to save with the inside of his left heel.

Rose replaced Lambe on 77 minutes.

On 80 minutes, a good ball forward for Green who charged forward and got the ball onto his left foot but Green mis-kicked at the vital moment.

A minute later at the other end, Ansah tried his luck from 25 yards and it must have been swerving through the air as Jensen just got his hand on it to parry it away to his left.

Clements replaced Jack Thomas on 84 minutes. Thomas went off to a good reception after a fine game.

Yussuf replaced Green on 87 minutes. Green went off to chants of “Greenie, Greenie”.

On 88 minutes, Westcarr played in to Yussuf on the left in the area, Yussuf muscled his way past a defender and shot wide from a tight angle.

Mansfield made it 3-0 on 90+1 minutes. Rose played the ball from the right, inside to Yussuf who turned his marker just outside the box and fired left-footed into the bottom right corner of the net from 19 yards. A splendid clinical finish.

At the end of the game the Stags players left the pitch to a fantastic standing ovation.

Man of the match: Mal Benning


Report by: Martin Shaw and Simon Chamberlain at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill



Line Up:
(4-4-1-1)
Jensen 8 Three very good saves. And looked solid. Still has barely put a foot wrong all season.
Hunt 8 Very good game. Could have had his first Stags goal.
Pearce 7 Solid. Rescued McGuire on one occasion.
Tafazolli 7 Solid game. A threat in the Newport box.
Benning 9 Involved in so much, and scored a sensational goal.
Lambe 6.5 Started the game well. Faded out of it.
McGuire 6.5 Battled well.
Chapman 6.5 Showed good skill on occasion.
Westcarr 7 Took his goal well, his 4th goal of the season.
J.Thomas 8 Assists for the first two goals. Great cross for Green’s header. Generally played very well.
Green 6.5 Header forced keeper into one excellent save with legs. Missed chance late on with a good ball in to him. Lacked service in the first half.
Sub Line Up:
Rose (for Lambe, 77) - Assist for Yussuf’s goal.
Clements (for J.Thomas, 84) -Great to see him back from injury.
Yussuf (for Green, 87) - His second goal in consecutive matches as substitute and another terrific clinical finish.
Subs not used: Shearer, Collins, Blair, N.Thomas.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-4-2): Day; Holmes (Ofori-Twumasi 26mins), Matty Taylor, Donacien, Barrow; Elito, Klukowski (Rodman 65), Bennett, Byrne; Ansah, John-Lewis (Boden 65). Subs not used: Rhys Taylor, Blackwood, Partridge, Parselle.
Referee:
Stephen Martin 7 Missed a couple of obvious pushes, but handled the game well.


Season 15/16 Reports